Discussion
I have just heard the sad news that Russ Wood passed away recently.
He will be much missed, in the late 80's I joined a company (Softel) where Russ was already working, he had just bought a brand new 390SE, but his daily transport was a battered old 1800S (aka the black pig). He was very instrumental in growing my enthusiasm for all things TVR.
Russ for many years was the TVRCC RO for Berkshire, and for a period served on the TVRCC committee. He also spent many years actively organising the UK end of the Zolder meeting.
He had a wide range of interests, but was enthusiastic about all things British, especially ale. He was a (very) active member of CAMRA and in later years developed a fascination with clocks, collecting and supporting many old clock societies. Russ also had a canny ability to look at problems in different ways to many, thinking of alternative solutions, he wasn't always right! but he had an amazingly creative and clever mind.
My condolences go to Carrie, Catherine and Michael.
The next pint I have, I will definitely raise to Russ.
He will be much missed, in the late 80's I joined a company (Softel) where Russ was already working, he had just bought a brand new 390SE, but his daily transport was a battered old 1800S (aka the black pig). He was very instrumental in growing my enthusiasm for all things TVR.
Russ for many years was the TVRCC RO for Berkshire, and for a period served on the TVRCC committee. He also spent many years actively organising the UK end of the Zolder meeting.
He had a wide range of interests, but was enthusiastic about all things British, especially ale. He was a (very) active member of CAMRA and in later years developed a fascination with clocks, collecting and supporting many old clock societies. Russ also had a canny ability to look at problems in different ways to many, thinking of alternative solutions, he wasn't always right! but he had an amazingly creative and clever mind.
My condolences go to Carrie, Catherine and Michael.
The next pint I have, I will definitely raise to Russ.
Shocking news. We met Russ several times at Zolder meetings and took the infamous 'brown pig' off his hands. It was always fun to have him around, especially the post-continental meetings at our garage, with a beer and a sandwich, his booming laugh. We wish his family a lot of strength.
Jos & Ada
Jos & Ada
Really sad news, my condolences to Carrie Catherine and Michael. First met Russ and Carrie at a CAMRA Mild Marketing Board meet in the early 80's he was partly convinced to buy his first TVR after seeing ours complete with MMB number plate. will raise a drop of the dark stuff to his memory at every possible opportunity! Geoff Chick
Russ saved his money to buy a Lotus Esprit, but when he went to try one, he didn't like it, so he then went to his second choice, a Jaguar X-JS convertible (he wasn't interested in anything not built in Britain!!), but the Jaguar dealearship wouldn't give him the time of day as he was wearing jeans/T-shirt, so he ended up with an early Andy Rouse engine (actaully sub contracted to John Eales) 390SE from Drakes Broughton. There can't be many one owner 390SE's about. He subsequently bought the Black Pig (1800S) as daily transport, and then the bitsa brown pig, which Jos now has. Travelling as a passenegr in the Black Pig was always an experience, driving it was even more so!!!
His 390SE was a bit troublesome, going back to TVR twice, as it was way down on claimed power, and a couple of years later it ate a camshaft, which Russ replaced on his drive. He also has a bit of an incident on a track day, but that never dampened his spirit or enthusiasm for the TVR marque, though did lead to him spending more time in the bar and less on the circuit!!!
His 390SE was a bit troublesome, going back to TVR twice, as it was way down on claimed power, and a couple of years later it ate a camshaft, which Russ replaced on his drive. He also has a bit of an incident on a track day, but that never dampened his spirit or enthusiasm for the TVR marque, though did lead to him spending more time in the bar and less on the circuit!!!
How did I get the brown pig? We struck a deal at four in the morning: I would pay his bar bill at Heerlen (took quite a risk there) and he promised he would not exaggerate, neither in the beer nor the pig sale. When I drove to his home to pick up the car, the neighbor peered out and was really happy: 'Congratulations, nice you cleared the driveway. Will you come back for the other one as well?
Had a trappist XXX sitting next to the pig in my garage, remembering the good old TVR days. It's already looking more like a swan, but not ready yet. Only fond memories.
Had a trappist XXX sitting next to the pig in my garage, remembering the good old TVR days. It's already looking more like a swan, but not ready yet. Only fond memories.
oliverb205 said:
Very sad news, our condolences to his family. Even when Russ used to come to Zolder in his family car he was always so enthusiastic and welcoming, especially to those whose first time it was. A pub crawl around Heeley will never be the same again.
Oliver.
Or even "Heerlen", damn predictive text on my tablet.Oliver.
Oliver.
Russ was the TVRCC Berkshire RO when I joined the club in 1990. He was very welcoming and a fantastic person; I'm really shocked to hear of his passing. I was treated to a look at the "black pig" under a tarpaulin on his driveway and a look at his clock collection. After he stepped down as RO I didn't really see him much other than at our annual "TVR" chat in the CAMRA beer tent at the Woodcote Steam Rally where he would tend the casks of ale. He will be sorely missed. RIP Russ.
Here is a photo of Russ and Geoff before the TVRCC parade laps at the 1999 Golden Mania at Brands Hatch:
Here is a photo of Russ and Geoff before the TVRCC parade laps at the 1999 Golden Mania at Brands Hatch:
Such a Great Guy !!
I have just spoken to Carrie.
Russ's funeral is on 12th May at 15.15
Reading Crematorium,
All Hallows Road,
Reading,
West Berkshire
RG4 5LP
Informal Dress Code...
No Flowers please
Donations to RNLI
Later a pint at Russ's CAMRA pub
Nags Head
5 Russell Street,
Reading.
RG1 7XD
Ian
I have just spoken to Carrie.
Russ's funeral is on 12th May at 15.15
Reading Crematorium,
All Hallows Road,
Reading,
West Berkshire
RG4 5LP
Informal Dress Code...
No Flowers please
Donations to RNLI
Later a pint at Russ's CAMRA pub
Nags Head
5 Russell Street,
Reading.
RG1 7XD
Ian
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